Care guide · Degus

Degus as pets: what to know before you get one

Checked against PDSA: Are degus good pets?, RSPCA: Degus, RSPCA: The appropriate company for degus and 6 more on

Degus make lively, chatty and clever pets for patient owners, and unlike hamsters they are awake in the daytime. They are not an easy first pet: they must live with at least one other degu, need a tall metal cage, a low-sugar diet for life because they are prone to diabetes, and an exotic vet, for 6 to 8 years or more.

Do degus make good pets?

Yes, for the right home. PDSA calls them "lively and entertaining creatures", and Chewy's vet-reviewed guide describes them as intelligent, social and curious. Because they are active in the day, you see them at their busiest, digging, climbing, chattering and grooming each other, rather than hearing a wheel at 3am.

They also ask a lot. PDSA does not recommend them as a first pet because of the daily time, space and careful diet they need. Here is the honest balance.

The good The hard part
Awake and busy in the daytime Need a tall cage, around 93 × 63 × 159 cm (37 × 25 × 63 in) for a pair
Clever, curious and fun to watch Must live with at least one other degu
Often take treats from your hand once settled Most dislike being picked up and held
Smell less than many small pets Chew through plastic, wood and cables
Chatty, with more than a dozen sounds Prone to diabetes, so almost no sugar, ever
Live 6 to 8 years, so a long friendship Need an exotic vet, which costs more and can be further away

Are degus good pets for beginners or children?

For most beginners, no, and for young children, no. PDSA does not recommend degus as a first pet, and Chewy says they suit experienced small-animal keepers best. PetMD and Chewy both advise against degus for young children. Wood Green says they often suit families with slightly older children who are willing to take time to build a relationship.

A keen adult beginner can still do well if they plan ahead. Adopting an adult pair that is already bonded and handled removes two of the hardest jobs: introductions and taming. Our page on where to get a degu covers rescues first.

Never pick up a degu by its tail. PetMD explains that degus can shed the skin and tip of the tail when grabbed, and Wood Green says the wound needs a vet straight away. Children need to know this before they meet degus.

How much time do degus need each day?

Plan on about an hour a day, every day, for a pair. That covers the jobs PDSA lists and the time to keep them tame.

  • Spot clean the toilet corner and food area (PDSA: every day)
  • Fresh water, hay top-up and a measured portion of pellets
  • At least 30 minutes out of the cage in a safe room or pen (PDSA)
  • 10 to 20 minutes talking and offering treats, as Wood Green and Burgess suggest for taming
  • A quick health check of eyes, nose, teeth and droppings (RSPCA)
  • A sand bath two or three times a week
  • A deep clean every one to two weeks

Holidays need planning too. The RSPCA says someone must feed and check them every day while you're away, ideally in their own cage at home.

Do degus like to be held?

Most don't, and that's normal. PDSA says degus dislike being picked up. They are prey animals, and being lifted feels like being caught. Many will happily take food from your hand, climb onto your arm and sit on your lap once they trust you. Wood Green notes that some degus never enjoy handling, and that taming shouldn't be rushed. Our guide to taming and bonding with a degu sets out the steps.

Why degus must live in pairs or groups

Wild degus live in family groups that share burrows, and pet degus need that company. The RSPCA says degus can become depressed if kept alone and should never be housed alone unless a vet or animal behaviourist advises it. They groom each other and sleep side by side.

  • Two sisters or two brothers, ideally from the same litter, as Burgess suggests
  • A small same-sex group, given enough space
  • One neutered male with one or more females
  • Never more than one male in a mixed group, as the RSPCA warns they may fight

Introducing new degus is slow work. PDSA notes they are territorial and describes short sessions of 15 to 30 minutes a day for about a week. Another good reason to start with a bonded pair. You can read how degus talk to each other in our degu behaviour guide.

Are degus noisy?

Yes, in a cheerful way. PDSA calls them very vocal, squeaking and chirruping through the day, and Burgess says they use more than a dozen sounds. They are quiet at night, because they sleep then. The noise you'll notice most is a wheel or digging in the bedding during the day.

How long do degus live?

Usually 6 to 8 years. PDSA gives 6 to 8, occasionally up to 9; the RSPCA gives 6 to 7; Wood Green 5 to 8; PetMD 5 to 9, with many reaching 8 or more. That matters if a child will be leaving home in a few years. More in our degu lifespan guide.

The diet is strict, for life

Degus eat mostly hay, a small portion of pellets and some leafy greens, and almost no sugar. The RSPCA explains that they are prone to type 2 diabetes, so the diet must stay low in sugar and fat. That means no fruit as a regular treat, no sugary chews and no muesli-style mixes. PDSA suggests about 1 to 2 tablespoons (10 g) of degu nuggets a day. Wood Green lists cataracts, drinking and weeing more, and weight gain as signs of diabetes. See our degu diet guide and why sugar matters for degus.

Healthy degu teeth are yellow-orange, not white. The RSPCA says white teeth can be a sign of illness. Many new owners worry about the colour when it is actually a good sign.

You'll need an exotic vet

Chewy's vet-reviewed guide says degus need an exotic animal vet and most general vets won't do. PetMD advises a check-up soon after you get them, then once a year, and the RSPCA also asks for a yearly vet check. Find your vet before your degus come home, and consider pet insurance, as the RSPCA suggests. Common problems are dental disease, diabetes, tail injuries and breathing infections. Our degu health guide lists the signs.

In the UK, yes. In the US, Chewy notes that degus are illegal in some states, which may class them as a potentially invasive species, and rules can vary locally. Check with your state wildlife agency before you buy or adopt.

Before you get degus: a checklist

  • You can give 6 to 8 years or more of care
  • You have space for a tall cage, as in our degu cage size guide
  • You'll keep at least two, same sex or a neutered male with females
  • You've found an exotic vet nearby
  • You can keep the room at or below 20°C (68°F)
  • You're happy with a pet that may never like being held
  • You've checked set-up and monthly costs on our degu cost page

Degus as pets: questions

Are degus good pets for beginners?

Not usually. PDSA says degus aren't recommended as a first pet because they need a lot of daily time, plenty of space and a carefully controlled diet, and Chewy's vet-reviewed guide says they suit experienced small-animal keepers best. A patient beginner who reads up first and finds an exotic vet can do well, especially with adult rescue degus.

Are degus good pets for children?

Degus are not a good choice for young children. PetMD and Chewy both advise against them for young children, and degus dislike being picked up. Wood Green says they often suit families with slightly older children who will take time to build trust. An adult should always be the main carer, because degus live 6 to 8 years.

Can you keep one degu on its own?

No. The RSPCA says degus can become depressed if kept alone and should never be housed alone unless a vet or animal behaviourist advises it. Keep a same-sex pair or small group, or one neutered male with females. A pair is far happier than a degu on its own.

Do degus bite?

Degus rarely bite unless they are frightened or handled roughly, according to PetMD. Most bites happen when a degu is grabbed suddenly or held when it wants to get down. Let them come to you, feed treats from your hand, and handle them close to the ground. Never grab one by the tail.

Are degus legal to keep as pets?

In the UK, yes. In the US, Chewy notes that degus are illegal in some states, which may class them as a potentially invasive species, and rules can vary by city too. Check with your state wildlife agency before you get degus, because animals kept illegally can be taken away.

Do degus smell?

Not much. PDSA says degus smell less than many other small pets, as long as the cage is spot cleaned every day and deep cleaned every two weeks. A strong smell usually means the toilet corner or hoarded food needs clearing out. Degus are clean animals and groom themselves and each other.

Are degus hard to take care of?

They aren't hard, but they are demanding. Daily jobs take about half an hour plus play time, and the diet must stay low in sugar for life because degus are prone to diabetes. The big cage, the need for a friend and an exotic vet are what catch people out, so plan those first.

Ready for the detail? Our complete degu care guide covers everything from setup to health.

Sources

Read next

Degu care: the complete guide

Degus need a same-sex friend, a tall metal cage, mostly hay with almost no sugar, a solid wheel, sand baths, daily time out and a cool room.

Where to get a degu: rescue, breeder or pet shop

Start with a rescue, where degus are often rehomed as bonded pairs for about £20 each; if you go to a breeder, ask about health, age and parents.

How much does a degu cost to buy and keep?

A rescue degu costs about £20, but the tall cage and kit for a pair run £300 to £450, then about £25 to £45 a month, plus vet bills.

How long do degus live? Lifespan and life stages

Pet degus usually live 6 to 8 years, and well-kept degus can reach 9 or even 10, far longer than hamsters, gerbils or rats.

How to tame, handle and bond with a degu

Let a new degu settle for a week, then sit by the cage daily, talk quietly and hand-feed tiny treats until it steps onto you. Expect two weeks to two months.

Degu behaviour and body language explained

Degus are chatty, social and busy by day. Warbles and chitters are happy, whines and groans are warnings, a loud wheep is an alarm, and fighting needs action.